Geelbek in WCNP is a definite hotspot for these birds, I'm sure there was almost 300 nests at the restraunt itself. Most of the nests are in the trees & they are constantly looking for food opportunities. They are also quite common in our area.

This one has me totally flummoxed! I can't find anything close in my (Newman's) field guide.

I saw it in late September on the farm where I stayed in Darling. Other birds about were Cape weavers, red bishops, Cape wagtails, European starlings, Cape robins, quite usual garden birds. Is this a juvenile/immature or some such?

deefstes wrote:Looks like a female weaver to me and probably Southern Masked Weaver but it sure is a pretty dark individual so I can understand the confusion.

Thanks, deefstes. My guess now would be female Cape weaver, as there were lots of Cape weavers building nests, but I didn't see any masked weavers about at all. Good to know that there can be so much "variation" in colour!